The Sins We Seek: The Dark Abyss of Our Sins, #3

By Krista D. Ball

Walter Cram had taken root amongst the very people who would see him burn. But after all he had done, they still needed him to hunt a rogue mage. So, he would stay and help his enemies. For now.

Captain Stanton Rainier stood between the demons and the innocent more than once now. As secrets revealed themselves, and as he questioned everything he'd been told, Stanton must accept that he is a good man, one of principle, who will protect the innocent with his body and sword no matter the consequences.

For, when Allegra makes a rather innocuous inquiry into the origins of magic, she sets off a series of events that will shake more than individual faith, but the very foundations of the Cathedral.

They all knew there would never be peace without truth, but in that hunt for knowledge, all they found was betrayal, and some of it amongst their very own.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Krista D. Ball
• Release date: Oct 17, 2022
• ISBN: 9780993718366

Book preview

The Sins We Seek

Krista D. Ball

Published by Krista D. Ball

Copyright 2022 Krista D. Ball

ISBN: 978-0-9937183-6-6

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Cover by http://indigochickdesigns.com/

Editing by MLD Curelas

Dedication

For those who fight from the shadows.

The Story so Far…

The Demons We See

Allegra, Contessa of Marsina, had no interest in Cathedral politics. On her journey to Orsini to officially decline the post of Arbiter of Justice, she encountered Mrs. Ansley, a mage harassed by local officials. Allegra extended her protection to the woman. However, they were set upon by local militia accusing Mrs. Ansley of being an elemental mage. Unable to do anything against the assault, Allegra and her escort raced to Orsini, where she accepted the post of Arbiter, and ordered the Holy Father’s Own Consorts—her escort—to find Mrs. Ansley. They never did.

Angered by the clergy’s role in the growing mage rebellion, Allegra relocated the office of Arbiter to Borro Abbey. Several members of the Consorts formed her protection detail, including Captain Stanton Rainier and Lieutenants Lex and Dodd.

Knowing she needed to make a show of support for mages, she sent Dodd and Lex to find Walter Cram, the de facto leader of the elemental mage rebellion. Walter’s arrival at Borro Abbey enraged many on all sides, and she granted Walter and other elemental mages legal immunity while at Borro Abbey.

During the winter, hundreds of refugees made the perilous trip to Borro Abbey in hopes of protection. The abbey struggled to feed people, to stop bread riots, and to control the hatred between everyone. Allegra was assaulted by a mage slave owner, and security around her was tightened.

One evening, Allegra accidentally opened a demon portal in the abbey’s undercroft. Walter managed to close and dispatch the demons; however, he caused the ceiling to collapse. Several people died and Allegra was caught in the rubble.

After rescue, Allegra adjusted to the reality of demons being real. Walter’s presence was a strain on the peace talks, and her growing feelings for Stanton added to her personal stress. Allegra struggled to control her magic and Lex discovered she was an elemental mage.

General Bonacieux and Queen Portia arrived at Borro Abbey for the peace talks. Fractures between the abolitionists began to show, even as Allegra and Walter repaired their friendship.

Bonacieux began hiding troops just beyond Borro’s boundaries. Allegra confronted Queen Portia about this and threatened to remove them all from the peace talks.

A local boy called Little Ferret stole a loaf of bread and was sentenced to hang. The elemental mages freed the boy, and a riot broke out fueled by Bonacieux’s men. Walter Cram defended the Consorts and Allegra, and as many townsfolks as possible, against the slaughter. In the end, nineteen people died. 

Days later, Allegra hosted Borro Abbey’s peace talks ball. She confessed to Stanton that she was an elemental mage. She thought he would arrest her, but instead he promised to keep her secret and they declared their love for each other.

A couple of weeks had passed in relative quiet when a massive demon came through Queen Portia’s bedroom. Bonacieux killed Portia for being an elemental mage, and left Lex for dead. Then he and his men tried burning down Borro Abbey, before Walter collapsed it on top of the demon portal.

Walter, Dodd, and Allegra escaped into the mountain paths, while Stanton managed to get as many out as he could, and began the trek toward Orsini, with an enemy army behind him.

The Nightmare We Know

Separated from the main convoy, Allegra, Walter, and Dodd were presumed dead. They were rescued by Princess Imogen, sister to the King of Amadore, who helped escort them ahead of Bonacieux’s army.

Lex arrived at the Cathedral gravely injured, but with healing and doctoring, was declared to be out of danger. Lex told the senior cardinals that General Bonacieux had killed Queen Portia, and covered for Allegra’s use of elemental magic.

Once Allegra arrived at Borro Abbey, she discovered the mages who’d escaped Borro Abbey treated differently than wealthy escapees. She ordered the fair and equal distribution of food. She also faced obstruction from several members of the senior cardinals. She confronted Cardinal Vittorio about his involvement in hampering her ability to access her personal money, causing her to not be able to purchase bread for the refugees. Cardinal Vittorio justified it by saying she should not have brought mages into Borro Abbey.

Rupert and Pero suffered marriage troubles, as tempers flared over mage rights. Pero moved into Father Michael’s new bedroom, causing the priest to move in with Walter Cram, who had a larger room.

General Bonacieux demanded Allegra be handed over to him. He had elemental mages tortured until they would serve him without question. In desperation, Francois considered allowing the cardinals to vote to hand Allegra over, causing a rift in their lifelong friendship. Walter and Stanton both threatened to kill anyone who tried to take her.

Tiny demon portals opened up in the back alleys of the Cathedral, near where the servants and infirmary entrances were located.

While the cardinals debated handing Allegra over, she, Father Michael, Stanton, and the Consorts, plus her servants and assistants, handed out writs of freedom in Orsini’s main courtyard to both slaves and elemental mages. When confronted by the Holy Father and the senior cardinals, she declared the place the Courtyard of Freedom. Francois slapped her and declared she had been stripped of her Arbiter’s power.

When Allegra finally agreed to discuss the matter in private, she was whisked away with her entourage to the Holy Father’s private suites. She drank his best wine while the cardinals argued about what she’d just done and how they’d punish her. However, it became quickly obvious the wine had been poisoned and Allegra fell unconscious for a day.

After Allegra’s poisoning, Walter advised the senior cardinals that all water needed to be tested, for fear that Bonacieux had been behind it, since he’d done this to mages before. Bonacieux had left with his cavalry and some of his mages to chase after Grand Duchess Katherine who was rumored to be returning to Cartossa to take the throne. He left some of his infantry behind. Allegra had been temporarily reinstated as Arbiter, since Katherine had declined the role, which was the last letter that she’d gotten out to them.

Little Ferret (now known as Little Gopher) alerted Walter, Lex, and Dodd that a barrel of water was found to have been surrounded with dead rats and a demon mark was found next to the area. Lex and Dodd discreetly looked into it further. However, they came to a dead end.

After some quiet nights without Bonacieux’s army attacking, Allegra and Stanton were awakened in the middle of the night to the news that demon portals had been opening up on both sides of the walls.

Allegra worked to secure as much of the inner Cathedral as possible with Cardinal Rigi, but ended up trapped in the infirmary where a fever outbreak was being contained. Allegra fought a demon who’d attacked her servant, Calm Seas, and beat it to death with a bottle. Eventually, they locked themselves in to wait out the battle.

Pero and Father Michael were helping evacuate the elderly clergy while Rupert was getting everyone else to safety in the deepest parts of the Cathedral, away from windows. Pero and Father Michael set off to find the nursery and get the children to safety.

Dodd and Princess Imogen fought at the north gate, trying to control both the crowd and deal with the demons. Lex, still too injured to fight, was tasked with escorting the fleeing people inside Orsini’s buildings and into safety.

Stanton was with Walter, who was closing the demon portals before they merged and allowed larger demons to come through. Several elemental mages joined the fight. Eventually, Walter and Stanton both passed out from exhaustion and smoke inhalation.

Once all of the fissures had been closed, they became aware of how dire the situation had been. Many mages were dead. Several elemental mages sacrificed themselves to close the demon portals nearest Bonacieux’s men, in an attempt to stop large demons. All of them died—the mages and the soldiers.

The aftermath was difficult on Allegra, who felt partially responsible for what had happened. Some of the Consorts declared they would never arrest another elemental mage without reason, even if they had to refuse orders and risk punishment. The main gates of Orsini had been ripped off by demons. Most of Orsini’s windows were shattered and even the most inner parts of the Cathedral had a coating of soot.

Cardinal Devonshire finally arrived and called a full conclave with Allegra there. Allegra declared she would leave the conclave and free every single person inside Orsini’s walls unless they stripped her of her power. One of the younger cardinals pushed Cardinal Giso, injuring him. Devonshire silenced them by destroying a speaking stone.

Devonshire had Cardinal Vanida, one of Allegra’s staunchest critics, dragged from the chamber kicking and screaming, and dissolved the entire conclave. Under Orsini law, she created the Orsini Assembly and placed the senior cardinals in charge, along with Princess Imogen as the Colonel of the Militia, and Allegra, newly installed as the Constable of Orsini. From there, all decisions would be for them to decide and only them, until the danger has passed.

Word came quickly that Cartossa had descended into civil war, with Grand Duchess Katherine now under siege near the border by Bonacieux. Dodd and Lex debated if they wished to be more than friends, while Walter and Father Michael became lovers. Rupert and Pero began patching up their marriage, though it remained uncertain if Rupert and Allegra will be friends again.

Dramatis Personae

Main Characters

Allegra, Contessa of Marsina. Arbiter of Justice. Constable of Orsini. Known as Her Ladyship and Contessa.

Captain Stanton Rainier, Duke of Barrington: A war hero long before he’d become a Consort. Lover of Allegra. Prefers to be known as Captain Rainier.

Walter Cram (also known as Lancaster Rivers): Unofficial leader of the mage rebellion.

Lieutenants Lex and Dodd: Senior Consorts, they are tasked with investigating who is behind the portals.

Servants and Staff

Nathan: Allegra’s financial and legal assistant.

Serafina: Allegra’s day-to-day secretary.

Nadira: Allegra’s trusted maidservant.

Kia: One of Allegra’s young servants.

Calm Seas: One of Allegra’s young servants. Recovering from extensive burns.

Consorts and Militia

Her Highness, Imogen: Sister to the King of Amadore, temporary Colonel of the Militia. Also known as Ginny to Allegra.

Rahna and Martin: Consorts appointed as Allegra’s personal guard.

Beatrix: Consort.

Little Gopher: Cathedral runner. Previously known as Little Ferret before getting in legal trouble at Borro Abbey.

Senior Clergy

His Holiness, Francois (real name Rupert): The Holy Father, Francois is a moderate. Childhood friend of Allegra, and married to Pero, an abolitionist.

Father Michael. Bishop of Orsini. Formerly Bishop of Borro: A country bishop for many years, and friend of Allegra’s and Stanton’s. Recent lover to Walter Cram.

Cardinal Devonshire: An elderly woman, head of the censure board. A moderate.

Cardinal Giso: An older cardinal and a staunch abolitionist.

Cardinal Vittorio: A staunch conservative.

Cardinal DeLancey: An elderly, frail woman who generally sides with the status quo.

Cardinal Vanida: Former member of the senior council. Kicked out by Cardinal Devonshire for inappropriate behaviour. Has a hatred of mages.

Sisters Bianca and Margarite: The two clergy who assisted Allegra while escaping the destruction of Borro Abbey.

And now, the conclusion of the Dark Abyss of Our Sins trilogy...

Chapter 1

Three weeks had passed since the last demon sighting, and all was calm. Not a whisper of even the smallest demon marks. There were no portals spewing screeching, winged creatures. There were no evil generals at their gates, nor armies poised to murder them in their beds. The wells had not been poisoned. The food riots had been avoided. The coughing sickness had abated. No mages had been burned at the stake.

Overall, it could have all been much worse.

On days like these, Allegra fought the temptation to lock herself away, to foster the illusion that all was normal and calm. She forced herself to walk in the sun every day, to face the restoration efforts, to see the bodies covered in sooty cloth, and look into the haunted eyes of Orsini’s residents, be they permanent or transitory.

Most days she made the trip outside of Orsini’s north walls to where the market had relocated, both for its own safety and to not hinder clean up and reconstruction efforts. It was safe there, or at least as safe as anywhere could be.

Today, Allegra followed Ysabeau through the labyrinth of back alleyways. She had hired the young woman to assist Nathan, who was currently chest-deep in documents, finances, and Cathedral law. The young woman rambled on about how honored she was to work for the Arbiter of Justice. Allegra did not bother to correct her on the most recent title change. Contessa of Marsina? That she would always be. The rest were merely jobs.

The two women passed by an alley that had a line of bodies in the street, all wrapped in soot-smeared sheets. In this part of Orsini, workers were still pulling out the dead—be they demon or people—from collapsed buildings. Though grim, it was better than the early days, when the uncovered bodies had been tossed into piles like firewood; there were simply too many for anything else.

Three workers tipped their hats respectfully as she walked by before resuming the work of tossing demon corpses into a cart. The pyres outside the city walls were still burning the demons, though not as many now. She watched the work for a moment. She saw the expressions of the workers, their pain evident even through the dirt, soot, and bandages. In her heart, she knew well enough that none who had survived the demon attacks would ever be fine, not in the truest, purest sense of the word. It had marked their souls forever. 

All she could do, all any of them could do, was to move forward, step by painful, tedious step. Unfortunately, that could not happen so long as they were still pulling out the dead.

Ysabeau pointed at a building ahead and they crossed the alley to stand in front of it. It has a symbol painted on its front, announcing the building unsafe. Most of the roof was missing. One side of the building was scorched, and there were visible demon claw marks, where something had tried to rip off the front door.

Allegra shivered as her mind reconstructed the scene here from her own wealth of memories. The black stains on the side of the building were where a demon’s brains had been splattered. She knew how that sounded and smelled. She could hear the cries of the helpless roaring in her ears, drowning out Ysabeau. Even now, she felt the bottle in her hands as she prepared to crush a demon’s skull.

Your Ladyship? Ysabeau asked, seemingly for not the first time.

Allegra was sweating, and far more than a woman of her rank was ever allowed in polite company. Nevertheless, she smiled and said, My apologies. I find myself unusually fatigued this morning. My attention faded. Please, repeat back what you said.

Your Ladyship, there is nowhere to put the residents of this building once we evict them. Ysabeau sighed. The people inside do not wish to be displaced from the building that saved their lives, even if it has been condemned and must be pulled down for safety’s sake. Her Highness will not issue the order to forcefully remove them. Captain Rainier has also refused. However, Brother Eagle is insisting they be removed, and housed in the north tents. The people inside object. I had hoped you could moderate the situation.

Allegra pulled her attention from the stains and realized the building had no windows. Most of the glass in both the Cathedral and Orsini’s wealthier buildings had been destroyed in the attack, but this was a poor building that never had glass. Only cheap, double shutters, in and out. This design would be used for all of Orsini’s new buildings and the repairs, though sliding glass windows would be installed between the protective wooden layers.

She wondered if any of them would trust plain glass windows again or would they all rely upon inner wooden shutters for the security for both their bodies and souls.

Your Ladyship, Rahna said to get her attention. She never went anywhere without her guard now. Rahna stepped closer and pointed down the alleyway. Captain Rainier.

Allegra turned in the direction Rahna indicated and smiled when her eyes landed on Stanton. He gave a slight, awkward wave, and she motioned for him to join her. Rahna retreated back to a respectful distance, and Allegra turned her attention to the current crisis.

Why are we making poor Orsini residents sleep in tents?

Brother Eagle feels strongly that the main residential floors cannot handle an influx.

Allegra made an exaggerated gesture of looking over her shoulder and craning her neck skyward. There, the Cathedral’s largest dome glimmered and glinted in the morning sun. She turned to Ysabeau and raised one eyebrow.

I know, Your Ladyship. I know. Ysabeau blew a strand of hair from her face. Normally, I would ask Nathan, but he’s been preoccupied with Cardinal Vittorio. Apparently, the cardinal has been screaming at him since before dawn.

Allegra gave Stanton a wide smile when he approached. He unwrapped the cloth he carried to reveal two knotted rolls decorated with seeds and spices. One was formed into a circle, and the other was a larger twist. Pick whichever you prefer.

She snatched the larger one and gave him a wicked grin. Before taking a bite, she asked, What did Nathan do now?

The young woman shrugged. You know what the cardinal is like, Your Ladyship.

Yes, she did. She took two bites of her roll, which was still warm. Now that they were in Orsini, and it was late spring, the variety of ready food had improved greatly.

Ysabeau, forgive my bluntness, but my roll grows cold in the morning air. Where should these people go, and who is blocking your work?

Well, Your Ladyship, to be equally blunt, Brother Eagle is blocking my attempts to move these people into the old priory.

The blue house? Stanton asked. When Ysabeau nodded, he added for Allegra’s benefit, They’re still pulling bodies out of there.

Allegra took another bite of her roll. It was perfectly baked, and still had enough warmth to send a puff of steam upward with every bite. I am not certain that is the best course of action. Are they not traumatized enough?

It was their suggestion to move to the Old Town.

The Old Town was the oldest part of Orsini’s housing, not to be confused with the oldest parts of the Cathedral, which were historical and religious marvels. The Old Town was a set of semi-dilapidated buildings that were often used for storage and little else.

The Old Priory has no windows, or so I’m informed. These people were trapped in here, in this building, and the lack of glass saved their lives. They are right to be fearful of being in open tents, with all that happened to them. Ysabeau shivered. I truly do not know how they are managing to hold up so well.

Ysabeau had been one of the lucky ones. She did not see the demons swooping down to murder friends and foe alike. She had been escorting Devonshire, helping with the elderly cardinal’s paperwork. They had only seen the aftermath. A little voice gnawed at Allegra that the apathy she felt at the suffering of these poor residents was not good for her soul. Ysabeau’s reaction was how she should feel.

She took another bite. Not today, though. She did not have the fortitude for it. However, she could still help others. Allegra motioned at Ysabeau’s ledger. She pulled the tiny pencil from its leather sheath, flipped to the page marked with the ribbon, and wrote her approval to move the residents into the Old Town. She signed it with her name and rank.

Ysabeau accepted the ledger and closed it. Thank you, Your Ladyship. I will have the occupants help with preparing the priory. I am certain they will feel safest there. Will you get into trouble with the cardinals for doing this?

Stanton snorted. Allegra managed to keep grunts and snorts to herself. My dear girl, how long have you been away? The cardinals held a vote, only weeks ago, to determine if I should be hanged from the front gate. I’m confident I can endure some ruffled robes.

Ysabeau’s mouth formed several silent words before she mumbled polite words and hurried off inside the building. Allegra took another bite of her roll. Stanton’s guard blended seamlessly with her two guards, all keeping the respectful distance. 

You told me you weren’t bitter about the vote, Stanton said.

With Stanton, she had no qualms about snorting in a decidedly unladylike manner. I find time has stewed the bitterness, though I aim not to be so in public. Bad for the reputation and all.

He gestured around them. In general, people left them alone, but any eye contact brought tips of hat brims, waves, and smiles. I believe this is the very definition of public, my dear.

"I did say I would try, Allegra said. After chewing another bite, she said, I will never speak ill of Borro Abbey, but I missed Orsini’s ability to get sesame seeds."

He laughed. Enjoy it, for I suspect there will be no more until the autumn.

The Almighty giveth and the Almighty taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord God Almighty, who cruelly created agricultural seasons and import logistics.

After lamenting how Orsini had finally run out of the winter store of potatoes, they fell into a comfortable silence as they turned to walk to the main Cathedral steps. They both had long hours ahead of them, with tedious reports, reconstruction efforts, and the general unrest that comes when terrified, common people pressed against the will of terrified, powerful people.

At Stanton’s suggestion, they detoured to inspect the southern gate. The portcullis had been repaired and reinstalled. The powers that be had taken the opportunity to build new outer gates, since the old ones never worked anyway. These replacements were being carefully mounted into place as they watched. The inner gates were double the thickness of the previous ones. Heavy bands of metal zigzagged across it to reinforce the entire thing. There were piles of rope nearby, as well as large bracing beams. They would never be caught off guard again.

She found herself wondering if magic could be used to encase Orsini within a massive demon-proof dome, or perhaps some form of demon trap. Probably not, she concluded, but the daydream was comforting nevertheless. 

She glanced at where dozens of elemental mages had given their lives to close the portals. Guilt flooded her, as it always did. She had been safe inside one of the chapels, locked up for hours with the sick and scared. She had not been out here fighting for the lives of Orsini’s residents. She’d not closed a single demon portal. She’d not done a damn useful thing.

Her vision turned blurry, and she accepted Stanton’s offered handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes. Once finished, he found her hand with his and squeezed.

How is Walter doing with the list? Stanton asked quietly. He’d taken to calling him by the more friendly first name these days. When pressed, Stanton had said Walter grew on people like a bad rash. She’d laughed when he said that.

He wants to double-check that he has everyone accounted for, Allegra said.

Rupert had requested a list of the mages who’d died defending the south gate against the demons. The Holy Father wanted a plaque engraved with their names, to remind future generations that mages had died on that spot. Walter said it was a nice idea, but she felt so empty when thinking about the gesture. It did not wash away the transgressions of the past, nor did it change that they were still, this very moment, debating if elemental mages were allowed to exist in the world alongside everyone else.

Orsini might suddenly not have enslaved mages, but that did not change the reality that just beyond their battered walls bubbled a civil war. That the war was spilling over to their side of the border. That there were more and more refugees every day, fleeing the conflict, and seeking the protection of the Lord God Almighty.

And the Arbiter of Justice.

The Constable of Orsini.

Contessa of Marsina.

She knew titles meant nothing, and yet in moments like these, they could mean everything. Nothing because what use was a title when the true heroes fought and died. Everything because it was only people with titles who could remember those heroes. She turned her head away from the memories, both hers and the images conjured by the stories of others. She wished her mind could not see clearly, for it would be easier for her in moments like these.

Your Ladyship, Captain, forgive me, but...

Allegra turned her attention to the gate’s guard, who informed them that another wagon train of refugees approached from further down the south road. They were in bad shape, so the report said, and needed admittance into the courtyard. They had injured children. There was no time to fall apart and replay decisions and regrets. There was still a war happening beyond their walls, and a demon summoner in their midst.

She and Stanton both gave the order to get the children inside.

***

It was proving difficult not to stab Lex. Not because Dodd ever wanted to stab his oldest friend in the world—for one thing, his mother and Lex’s mother would band together to stab him in his own bed if he did something so carelessly stupid—but rather, Lex insisted Dodd not go easy during sword practice, when it was absolutely clear to Dodd that he needed to go easy.

Every morning for two weeks now, Lex insisted that they come outside at the ass crack of dawn to practice swords, brawling, running, climbing, and whatever else Lex decided. The other Consorts or the Orsini militia took turns joining in, and even some of Her Highness’s soldiers when they had time. Some mornings they practiced in the Old Town, dodging around the buildings while people either took bets or shouted at them (or both). Other times, they practiced where the market used to be. Then mornings like this one, they practiced outside of the north gates where trees and rocks and bugs got in the way.

Dodd easily dodged an attack from Lex and blocked the next swing of the sword, all the while listening to his stomach grumble and growl that he’d not eaten yet. Worse, his stomach knew that, by the time they finished here, there’d be nothing left of the dining hall’s breakfast beyond dried out bread.

Dodd stepped around Lex, meaning to only give a slight kick in the calf. Lex tripped over his own feet and lost his balance, hitting the ground with a forced exhalation and wince. Lex held his middle and moaned a bit.

That’s it, we’re done, Dodd announced. If Cardinal DeLancey sees us doing this, she’s going to tan both of our hides.

Lex scowled and swore, but finally accepted Dodd’s outstretched hand. He was fine with helping Lex to his feet, but did not bend down to pick up Lex’s dropped sword. Even though Lex winced, and grunted, and staggered trying to straighten up, Dodd knew better than to help with this one. For whatever reason that only the Lord God knew, Lex insisted on practicing bending down and stretching his insides to pulp, so he let Lex have his way on this one.

Finally, Lex straightened his back, shook out his shoulders, and gripped his sword. Again.

Dodd sheathed his sword. I’m done.

Lex scowled at him. Oh, come on. The surgeon said I need to work out the scars and skin. I have to practice, or I’ll never use a sword again.

I’m just saying this seems excessive, Dodd said. Look at you. You’re sweating.

So are you, Lex said.

I’m sweating because I thought it was going to be cold out and I put on my wool liners, and now I’m going to die of heat exhaustion. You’re sweating from pain. There’s a difference.

It is rather warm, Lex commented. Then he sighed and said, My guts hurt.

I bet they do, Dodd said. You’re doing too much first thing in the morning. Why not do a bit first thing, then some more at luncheon, and some practice in the evening?

I’m always tired in the evening now, Lex complained.

That’s because you’re doing too much in the morning, Dodd said. Before Lex could protest, Dodd pointed and said, There’s Cram. Come on, let’s see if we can get him to fight me.

How will that help heal my guts?

Laughing until you vomit is exercise, Dodd said confidently as they walked toward the mage.

Once in complaining distance, Cram turned an accusatory gaze at Dodd. What have you done to him? He’s about to pass out!

We were practicing, Dodd said, rather more defensively than he’d meant.

Practicing? Cram demanded. "Lieutenant Lex looks like he needs a surgeon and a healer."

I’m supposed to exercise, Lex said. Dodd knew him well enough that he was feeling defensive, too, just by his tone.

Cram stared at them both. I thought I’d bring you both some breakfast, thinking I was being nice. I didn’t realize I couldn’t trust the two of you alone without an adult in charge. Come on, let’s go eat. Lex, can you even walk?

Of course, I can fucking walk, Lex snapped. 

None of them commented on how slowly Lex was walking, as even Walter Cram, demon lover, seemed to know when it was best to keep his damned mage mouth shut.

They made their way inside the gates and Lex insisted on climbing up the scaffolding to sit and eat. Dodd complained, but he was overruled. It wasn’t that he was afraid of heights. It was that he didn’t see the point in sitting two stories higher than everyone else just to eat some tarts. It wasn’t like people would steal from them. 

Cram took the cloth off his basket and Dodd’s stomach growled loudly. Tiny fruit tarts, just two bites each, were stacked in one corner. The middle of the basket had something lumpy wrapped in another cloth, and Cram revealed it to be beignets in one pouch, and steamed buns in the other. Next to that was wilted kale leaves with wooden sticks visible from one end. Those were the grilled meat. 

Most days they ate in the dining hall together at least once, but Cram announced himself to be in an uncharacteristically generous mood. Cram claimed he’d paid for it using real coin, too. There was a time, and not that long ago, when the merchants wouldn’t even let the mage talk to them, let alone take his money.

Now, some of the merchants were offering Orsini’s most notorious demon lover discounts.

Discounts.

No one ever gave Dodd a discount.

Assholes.

However, he wasn’t going to spit on free fruit tarts, nor would he turn down three of the tiny pastries. He wouldn’t have turned those down anyway, but especially not now when food rations were reduced to two meals a day to ensure everyone ate, no matter their position, rank, or wealth. And it wasn’t that Dodd was against free food for the poor. His issue was merely that thin soup with unbuttered bread was a winter snack, at best, and certainly should not be called a meal.

As ever, the conversation turned to the investigation concerning the demon attacks. In Dodd’s expert opinion, this job was a steaming pile of horseshit. There was no plan, unless find the bastards who tried to kill us all was a plan. Which Dodd felt very much was not a plan so much as bravado or possibly a protest slogan when the inevitable pitchfork-wielding mobs arrived. They were no further ahead, there were no leads and too many leads at the same time, and he had to spend all of his waking moments with Walter fucking Cram.

Who, Lord God help him, he was actually starting to like. 

Well? Cram